| Javanese Mythology: The Pontianak |
| The Pontianak was a banshee like creature that was said to be either a woman who died a virgin or a woman who died while giving child birth. It was a banshee-like creature that flew through the night. It was sit atop forest trees and wail in the evening breeze, awaking village people. It appeared as a woman of unspeakable beauty, alluring to any men that would happen upon her. She would embrace a man, and after a single kiss, she would withdraw from her prey. Next, she would reveal a hole in her back, that was once covered with long silken hair. This hole was supposedly the mark or signature of the devil. The man, completely helpless, would then proceed to pull out one strand of hair from her head. If he failed, the pontianak would drain and suck his blood to the point of death. If he succeeded, he would live a long and happy life. |
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